MAX FaCTS
HyDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS aND TRIvIa
new and iMproVed heartfriendly oats
University of Wisconsin-Madison plant breeders have developed
a new oat variety that’s significantly higher in beta glucan, the
oat-exclusive compound that makes this grain so cardio-friendly.
The new strain is 2% higher in beta glucan on average than other
oat varieties on the market, which translates to a 20% boost in
levels of this compound in products made from the oat.
Nutrition researchers liken beta glucan to a sponge that traps
cholesterol-rich acids in the bloodstream. Consuming 0.11 oz.
daily of this soluble fiber—in combination with a healthy diet—
might lower the blood’s level of LDL (the so-called bad cholesterol), which lessens the risk of coronary heart disease.
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
hot air + cool water + tall
tower = enerGy
A 3,000-ft. tall
tower that will
generate clean
electricity from
hot dry air and
cool water will
soon be built
in San Luis,
Arizona. Once
built, air will
be sprayed
with cool water
at the top of
the tower, making it denser and heavier. This air would
then travel downward through the tower, powering wind
turbines that generate electricity. It is estimated that the
tower will produce up to 2,500 MW-h, one-third of which
will go to pumping water.
The idea behind the downdraft energy tower was originally patented in 1975, and
the design would work
anywhere—so long as
the hollow structure is
tall and in a hot,
dry climate.
(Source:
treehugger.com)
30
Maximum Yield USA | July 2012
leaf “staMp” could
detect crop diseases
Hideaki Tsutsui of the University of California has developed an early warning
system for crop diseases: to print
biosensors directly onto maize
leaves. These biosensors
detect pathogens, such as
aflatoxin, through chemical
reactions that turn areas of
the leaves different colors.
He likened the basic
mechanism to that
of home pregnancy
tests, which have
areas that turn blue
to indicate a
positive result.
(Source: enn.com)